Cable clamp



Nov. 30, 1937. v H, A EEN I 2,100,777

CABLE (IL-WIT Filed Dec. 2, 1935 HARRY/4. GREEN INVENTOR MAW Patented Nov. 30, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Harry A. Green, Portland, Oreg.

Application December 2, 1935, Serial .No. 52,461

4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in clamps and more especially to clamping devices particularly adapted to conveyor systems in which a plurality of cars are to be attached to a running cable in adjustable spaced relation with each other in accordance with the time estimated for each man attending the conveyor to complete his particular work being dealt with.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of a clamp of this character which may be quickly and conveniently locked in gripping relation with the cable and which may also be just as readily loosened from the cable to permit the spaced adjustment of the cars as aforesaid.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a clamping means of this character whereby a great many cars may be dealt with in a minimum amount of time in a conveyor system several thousand feet in length and operating over a tortuous path.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a clamp which is not only locked to the cable when set but which also tends to further grip the cable by a binding action created by a pull exerted upon the clamp in the direction of the length of the cable. The locking means associated with the clamp is adapted to slightly spread the cable, when in a locked posi- 30 tion, into the semi-circular support for the cable.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a clamp which, when clamped to a cable, will pass over or around a sheave without disturbing or unseating the cable from the .groove 3 v in the sheave, except to a very slight degree.

This applies not only to sheaves of the conventional type wherein the walls of the grooves are of equal widths, but also to other sheaves wherein the walls of the grooves are of different widths.

40 For instance, in such sheaves which operate in a horizontal plane, the lower wall of the groove may extend outwardly beyond the peripheral edge of the opposite wall of the groove.

These and other objects will appear as my in- 45 vention is more fully hereinafter described in the following specification, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and finally pointed out in the claims.

In the drawing:-

50 Figure 1 is a perspective fragmentary view of a section of track used in a conveyor system operated by an endless cable between the tracks.

Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of my new and improved clamping in operative 55 engagement with a cable.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of theclamp, looking in the direction of the arrow in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an end elevation of the clamp and cable in operative engagement in two different positions, with two types of sheaves. v 5

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the clamp, looking in the opposite direction from Figure 3.

Referring now more particularly to the drawmg:-

Reference numeral I indicates generally a pair 10 of tracks of a conveyor system having an endless cable 2 running centrally of the track. Upon the tracks are movably mounted conveyor cars 3, carried by wheels 4 which run on the tracks, and provided on their upper side with freely rotatable 15 work-supporting platforms 5. To any convenient point on the forward end of the car I pivotally connect a draw-bar 6, whose outermost end is pivotally connected to the .main body of my new and improved form of clamp.

The main body of the clamp comprises a plate 1 whose lower end is substantially semi-circular in form to provide a support 13 for the cable to which the clamp is to be attached. The plate extends upwardly from the cable-supporting por tion thereof and is shaped in end elevation, as shown in Figure 4. The upper end of the plate 1 is turned outwardly as at 9 to form a support'for the outermost end of the draw-bar 5. The portion 9 of the plate 1 is provided with a threaded 0 aperture to receive a locking bolt 10 formed with a head lllA- shaped to receive any "approved form .of actuating tool, such as a screw-driver, wrench or the like. The outermost end of the draw-bar is apertured, as at, to embrace the bolt i0. The lower portion of the bolt I0 is smooth-surfaced, the threads terminating at approximately the point indicated at l2 on the shank of the bolt. The smooth portion of the bolt extends through the plate 1 by passing through an elon- 40 gated slot [3 formed in the plate 1. It is desirable to have the slot l3 no wider than the diameter of the smooth portion of the bolt, so that a working fit is established between the bolt and the slot, and, further, so that the slot will stabilize the bolt against the various stresses applied to it in operation. The lowermost end of the bolt is preferably rounded, as at M, so that as the bolt is advanced on its threads into a gripping position with respect to the cable the lowermost rounded end of the bolt will slightly wedge between the strands of the cable, with a resultant spreading and distortion of the cable which will cause the cable to firmly seat itself within the cable-supporting portion 8 of the main body member 1.

As previously pointed out, the particular formation of the clamp is such that it-will automatically grip the cable, even though the locking bolt might not be driven entirely home. For example, in fast operations, the cars are dealt with progressively in spacing them with relation to each other and, of course, their gripping relation to the cable. In such operations; one operator will loosen the clamp and the car will advance to the next operator who will adjust the car to the cable and to the cars which have gone ahead of, or which are following the particular car being dealt with. The car thus dealt with is allowed to progress to the next workman who securely fastens the clamp to the cable. In any of these adjusting operations, it is only necessary that the locking bolt l0 be advanced to or allowed to remain at a point of contact with the cable. In this position, the lowermost end of the locking bolt serves as a fulcrum for the rocking action of the plate I which will be caused by the pull exerted on the draw-bar 6. When the plate is thus rocked around its fulcrum, one edge of the cable supporting-portion of the plate will bind against the cable and will thus grip the cable sufficiently to cause the cable to pull the car along the tracks to the next operator. Moreover, this automatic gripping of the clamp to the cable will insure movement of the cars at all times and even when the locking bolt may become unintentionally loosened in the normal operation of the conveyor system.

In Figure 4, I have shown the clamp and cable in operative engagement, in two different positions, with two different types of sheaves. The sheave 15, shown in full lines and broken lines, is of conventional type wherein the two walls of the groove are of equal width. Figure 4 illustrates that either side of the clamp may be presented to the groove for successful operation without disturbing the cable to any great degree.

I have also illustrated in Figure 4, in dotted lines, a form of sheave, or rather a groove in a sheave, wherein one wall of the groove is of greater width than the other wall thereof. In this particular form, it is likewise apparent that the clamp may also be presented from either side for successful operation.

In the forms of sheaves shown, as well as all other forms, it is essential that the portion of the clamping means which actually grips the cable should be of minimum thickness and of a diameter corresponding as nearly as possible to that of the cable and the groove so that it may pass between the two without disturbing the cable or unseating it from the groove to any great degree.

In order to provide a clamping means of this character, it is necessary that the locking means and draw-bar attaching means be superimposed upon that portion of the clamp which actually grips the cable.

While I have shown and described a particular form of embodiment of my invention, I am aware that many minor changes therein will readily suggest themselves to others skilled in the art, and I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the exact form shown and described. Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent, is:,

l. A clamp comprising a body member adapted at one of its ends to embrace a cable, locking means adjustably mounted for movement through said body member and into locking engagement at one of its ends with said cable and the opposite end of said locking means serving as a pivotal connection for a draw-bar.

2. A cable clamp comprising a substantially S shaped body member adapted at its lower end to partially embrace a cable, locking means extending through said body member and adapted to lock said cable with respect to the body memher, said locking means adapted at its upper end to secure a draw-bar to the body member.

3. A cable clamp having a substantially S shaped body member adapted to embrace a cable to its lower end, a locking bolt threadedly mounted through the upper end of said body member and extending through the central portion of the body member to be stabilized thereby and adapted to be advanced into locking engagement with said cable, the upper end of said locking bolt adapted to pivotally mount a draw-bar to the upper end of the body member.

4. A cable clamp having a substantially S shaped body member adapted at its lower end to partially embrace a cable, a locking bolt threadedly mounted along the vertical axis of said body member and extending through the central portion of the body member and adapted to be advanced into contact with said cable, the lowermost end of said locking bolt adapted to function as a fulcrum for the rocking action of the body member when a pull is applied to the upper end of the body member in the direction of the length of the cable, the upper end of the locking bolt serving as a pivotal connection for a draw-bar.

HARRY A. GREEN. 

